Method and apparatus for cutting clips off of the ends of sausages and the like

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting clamps or clips off of the ends of sausages and similar products formed by forcing material into continuous lengths of an outer tubular casing and placing clips intermediately along the length of the outer casing to separate lengths of the sausage or the like. The clips are removed by positioning the clips of a pair of the sausages or the like adjacent a pair of cutters in such a manner that the cutter jaws are positioned between the adjacent ends of sausages. The cutters are then caused to automatically move apart until they engage the ends of the sausages and are positioned between the respective clips and the ends of the sausages. The cutters are then automatically actuated to cut through the outer casing between the clips and the ends of the sausages to thereby effect removal of the clips and separation of the pair of sausages.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for cutting clips off of the ends of adjacent pairs of sausages or the like, the clips being located between adjacent sausage ends, said apparatus comprising a pair of clippers having cutters, means for permitting relative movement of said pair of clippers between a first position wherein the cutters of said clippers are positioned in mutually adjacent relation and a second position wherein said cutters engage the ends of the adjacent sausages and are positioned between said clips and said ends, means for actuating said clipper moving means to cause said cutters to move from said first position to said second position, and means for automatically actuating said pair of clippers when said cutters engage said ends and causing said cutters to cut through the outer skin at the adjacent ends of the sausages to effect removal of the clip or clips therebetween. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are further provided for automatically ejecting from between the cutters the clips and the cut outer skin which extended between the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages or the like. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises first fluid motor means connected to one of said clippers and wherein said clipper actuating means comprises second fluid motor means connected to said clippers, and further including a switch and fluid regulator means for effecting fluid flow to said first fluid motor so that said clippers are relatively moved from the first position, when said switch is displaced by an operator, until the cutters of said clippers engage ends of the adjacent sausages, and thereafter, for effecting fluid flow to said second fluid motor means so that said cutters cut through the outer skin of the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages. 
     
     
       4. An apparauts in accordance with claim 3 further including fluid pressure supply means connected to said fluid regulator means, and wherein said fluid regulator means includes means for automatically supplying fluid to said second fluid motor means when the pressure in said first fluid motor means exceeds a predetermined limit. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a table top and clipper holder means for pivotally mounting one of said pair of clippers to said table top and for supporting said pair of clippers for pivotal movement from said first position to said second position. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said pair of clippers includes a first cutter and handle portion fixed to said clipper holding means, and a second cutter and handle portion pivotally secured to said first cutter and handle portion, and wherein said second fluid motor means is connected to said second handle and cutter portion of each of said clippers. 
     
     
       7. A method for cutting clips off the ends of sausages of a chain of sausages, the sausages of the chain having a continuous outer skin, and the clips being located between ends of adjacent sausage contained in the chain, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a pair of cutters and the chain of sausages relative to each other so that the pair of cutters are positioned between the adjacent ends of adjacent sausages in the chain, moving the cutters apart until each cutter engages one of the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages, and actuating the pair of cutters to cause each of said cutters to cut through the outer skin at the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages between the clips and the ends of the sausages. 
     
     
       8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising the step of removing the clips and the portion of the cut outer skin extending between the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus for cutting clips off the adjacent ends of adjacent portions of material contained in a continuous outer skin and forming a chain of such portions of material, the clips closing the continuous outer skin and being located at opposite ends of each portion contained in the chain, said apparatus comprising a pair of cutters, means for moving said pair of cutters away from a first position until each cutter engages one of the adjacent ends of the adjacent portions, and means for actuating said pair of cutters so that the cutters cut through the outer skin at the adjacent ends of the adjacent portions. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for removing the clips and the cut outer skin extending between the adjacent ends of the adjacent portions. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said moving means comprises first fluid motor means connected to one of said pair of cutters, wherein said closing means comprises second fluid motor means connected to each of said cutters, and said apparatus further comprises a switch and fluid regulator means for regulating fluid flow to said first fluid motor so that said pair of cutters are moved apart from the first position when said switch is displayed by an operator until each of said cutters engages one of the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages, and thereafter, for regulating fluid flow to said second fluid motor means so that said cutters cut through the outer skin of the adjacent ends of the adjacent sausages. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further comprising fluid pressure supply means conneced to said fluid regulator means, and wherein said fluid regulator means is operative for supplying fluid to said second fluid motor means when the pressure in said first fluid motor means exceeds a predetermined limit. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a table top and cutter holder means for movably mounting said cutters on said table top for allowing movement of said pair of cutters apart from said first position until each pair of cutters engages one of the adjacent ends of the adjacent portions. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein each of said pair of cutters comprises a first cutting portion and handle portion secured to said cutters holding means, and a second cutting portion and handle portion pivotally secured to said first portion, and wherein said second fluid motor means is connected to said second handle and cutting portion of each of said cutters. 
     
     
       15. A method for cutting clips off the adjacent ends of separate portions of material contained in a continuous outer skin defining a chain of such separate portions, the clips closing the continuous outer skin and being located at opposite ends of each separate portion contained in the chain, said method comprising the steps of: moving a pair of cutters and the chain separate portions relative to each other so that the pair of cutters extends between the adjacent ends of adjacent separate portions in the chain, moving the pair of cutters apart until each pair of cutters engages one of the adjacent ends of the adjacent separate portions, and actuating the pairs of cutters to close and cut through the outer skin at the adjacent ends of the adjacent separate portions. 
     
     
       16. A method in accordance with claim 15 and further including the step of removing the clips and waste portion of the cut outer skin extending between the adjacent ends of the adjacent separate portion.